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Ditaxis biseriata moulting sequence

Neuroptera are holometabolous insects (they are meant to pupate as butterflies and beetles do), however Ditaxis biseriata moults in a similar way to hemimetabolous insects such as cicadas. Instead it is a hypermetabolous insect (a type of holometaboly), meaning that at least one of the larval stages differs considerably from the others.

The pupal stage of Ditaxis biseriata is motile and seemed to emerge from the ground to find the nearest tree to moult on. More to come, including images of the eggs, first instar larvae and adults.

Taken in a macadamia orchard near Byron Bay, NSW.

This image is a composite of four images of different individuals in the same location.